Planet of the Apes

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Summary: A capable analogy of modern Americas decline
Review: I read the book over 20 years ago as a young adult hooked on the "Planet of the Apes" movie series. I am still haunted to this day by the chapter that explains how apes became masters and humans inarticulate beasts. Talk about going out with a wimper instead of a bang.

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Summary: Great science fiction
Review: Having been a fan of the movie for years, I was excited to find out that it was actually based on a book. However, the book, while being similar to the movie in theme and idea, was completely different from what I had expected. Starting with two space travelers finding a ship which has been abandoned for some time, floating in space, the book catapults you into the story of Heston, a space travelling journalist who finds his way to and escapes from a planet entirely ruled by apes. The ending of the book is classical science fiction and will be an awesome surprise to anyone who has seen the movie. Although almost entirely different from the movie, I enjoyed the book immensely. While I've found myslef distracted watching the movie at times due to the underlining political themes, the book was duly unadulterated science fiction and I was able to detach wholly into the world of imagination and be enthralled in this incredible story. I would give this book to anyone.

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Summary: Classical french "anticipation"
Review: I read the original book in french something like three decades ago. It was pretty strong stuff at the time, because of the sex involved. Sex between humans in zoo cages! Talk about a mix of bestialism and exhibitionism. But this was by a noted author, so it was Art. Of course, not everybody sees Art this way. Even now, the original french edition cover would be the object of much debate if not outright bans in the USA because it showed a wispy (it looked like charcoal pen) drawing of a very naked and very attractive human female behind a zoo's bars. Of course, there was more to it than sex, but I was a teenager at the time, so...

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Summary: Wonderful, Political, and Original
Review: This is by far one of the best books I've read. Do not expect the book to be exactly like the book, though. This version is much more political, more realistic, and very different. It has the most original story line of any book I've ever read and Boulle describes everything wonderfully. Though you may have to take a trip to your local library to even get a copy of this, it'll be worth the trip.

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Summary: A new printing, please!!!
Review: I have my paperback from `93, and I treasure it as I do few others in my library. Of course, I was raised on the movie, but I heard so much about the book and its "Swiftian" overtones that I had to read it. The book and movie are quite different, from start to finish. The movie's ending is definitely more profound than the book's, but they are both enjoyable. Hit the used bookstores and grab it! Plus, it's a quick read...

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Summary: So-so book; don't expect the movie
Review: I read the book after I had seen the "Planet of the Apes" movie so that may color my opinion. The book is a bit more realistic than the Heston movie in that the apes don't speak a human language. Other than that nice touch, though, the book is really just a so-so sci-fi adventure. It was enjoyable, but I'm glad that the motion picture company that did the movie didn't stick to the book that much. The rule is that the movie is NEVER better than the book, but "Planet of the Apes" is the exception to the rule.

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Summary: Enjoyable sf satire.
Review: I heard the book was a good deal different then the movie & boy is that true. The book is a satire with science fiction elements & a certain dark humor. It is also undeniably French or in least European. Outside of Vernes this is my only experience with French science fiction, but not my only experience with French satire(Yes people who read science fiction are capable of reading "literature") I have no bias against mainstream sf & I enjoyed this. I do like the movie, but it's a different animal to the book.

Rating:
Summary: Very good book !
Review: I've read that book in French, and I loved it ! This is not a classical SF book, it is an amazing philosphical tale about the future of the human being. The roles are completely changed, for the human being on this planet is like an ape on Earth : considered an animal. It is easy to read that book. I've read other books by Pierre Boulle, that are as brilliant - never common.

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Summary: Best book I've read in years!
Review: This is a thrilling piece of literature that will remain in the memories of science fiction nerds and cool-cats alike-as well as everyone in between. Boulle utilizes his God-given wit and puts his boggling use of irony to work in depicting a society were apes, instead of men, think, talk, work, and wear clothes, and humans run naked in the jungles, incapable of reason or speech! It is a story set in the future about a journalist who travels to this strange planet, captured and caged in at a scientific laboratory, determined to survive and let the apes learn of his true identity. Frightening in its realistic possibillities, the author of the acclaimed "Bridge over the River Kwai" has wrought a masterpiece that will rivet itself into the minds of its readers long after they have been shocked by its last sentence.

Rating:
Summary: Much better than any of the movies
Review: I really enjoyed this book, I began reading it and could not stop, it is exciting and very interesting.
It is really much better than the movies and of course a lot of questions are answered, it is also not very long.
If you saw the original movie and also the remake you will enjoy this book because both movies took different story lines and they will be understud more.
Even if this is not what you would call a masterpiece, I liked the book because it is original, fun and easy reading.